Sony have announced two new Full HD digital camcorders, the Sony HDR-CX500V (pictured) and the Sony HDR-CX520V. In addition to capturing full1920x1080 high-definition video, the HDR-CX500V and the HDR-CX520V can also take 12-megapixel still photos. Moreover, both camcorders feature 60p output, which automatically converts content to 60 progressive frames per second when connected to a compatible HDTV. Another notable feature, Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode now offers 3-Way Shake Canceling.  This feature reduces hand shake in three directions – vertical and horizontal shake corrected by optical image stabilisation and the third, by way of electronic image stabilisation, facilitates correction for lateral-roll shake. To effortlessly track your destinations on a map, the camcorder’s built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ digital maps geo-tag your videos and photos. Introducing new technology to down-convert from AVCHD™ to MPEG2, Sony eliminates the need for a PC and allows for simple DVD creation with the optional DVDirect Express DVD writer (sold separately for around $150). The HDR-CX500V (with 32GB of internal flash memory) and the HDR-CX520V (with 64GB) will be available in September for about $1,100 and $1,300 respectively.

Canon U.S.A. has announced two new wireless PIXMA Photo all-in-one devices, the Canon PIXMA MP560 and the Canon PIXMA MP490. Both units utilise Canon’s FINE print head technology and offer the Auto Photo Fix II feature which resolves many common photo printing errors. The new PIXMA MP560 Wireless Photo all-in-one device (pictured) is the most compact Canon inkjet printer to have both wireless capabilities and built-in Auto Duplex Printing, and also is the first Canon PIXMA Printer to have the ability to print out pictures directly from a USB Flash Memory device. The MP560 costs $149.99, while the MP490 carries a price tag of $99.99.

Leica Camera has announced the autumn launch of a special, olive green edition of the Leica D-Lux 4 digital compact camera. The metal body of the Leica D-Lux 4 SAFARI is protected by an anodised finish, which is particularly resistant to wear, Leica says. The camera also comes with a water-proof system case with plenty of space for additional D-Lux 4 accessories – such as an optical viewfinder, handgrip or flash unit.  It also comes complete with a rain cape designed for photography out in the elements. Leica D-Lux 4 SAFARI has an RRP of £765 and is available in the UK from September 2009.

Datacolor has announced it is offering a special summer rebate on its Spyder3 Elite (pictured) and Spyder3 Pro monitor calibration systems as well as its SpyderCube colour management and white balance tool. The new rebate, which takes effect immediately, will run through August 31 and offers savings of up to $30 on the purchase of Datacolor’s Spyder calibration products. You need to download a rebate form to participate.

Yozilla.com, a new US website, has announced a pre-launch photographic contest. To enter, you need to register at yozilla.com, download and print out their “Flat Yozilla” pdf, and take a photo with the “Flat Yozilla” in it. The most creative shot will be rewarded with a $1000 cash prize. The competition runs until 25 July, and the winner will be announced on 1 August, the official launch date of yozilla.com. You must be 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of the US to enter. As with every competition, you are advised to read the rules before registering and submitting a photo.

Pix Remix helps iPhone users combine pictures and captions into a short slideshow, animated collage, or Ken Burns-style narrative in 2 minutes or less. The creators of the application say, “There are plenty of apps for manipulating a single image or posting a bunch of photos. And you can spend hours in current programs making the perfect movie or multimedia extravaganza out of your photos. What Pix Remix does is help you quickly curate your photos and turn them into a multi-faceted show.” You can then share these creations between iPhones or via email, Twitter, or Facebook. The Pix Remix app is available at the website below.

Website: Pix Remix for iPhone

Peartree has announced the European launch of the Apple Juicz external battery for the MacBook Pro, which is aimed at photographers working on location. This new product charges and or powers MacBooks with up to 10 hours of energy. The Apple Juicz has been engineered to integrate with the MagSafe power port on the MacBook Pro. An official Apple MagSafe connector is included with every kit. The Apple Juicz is available from Peartree and dealers for £450 +VAT.

Bogen Imaging has announced the Gitzo 5 Star Summer Tour, which will showcase the latest technologies and innovations from Gitzo. The 5 Star Summer Tour will take place from July to October with 17 scheduled stops at photo specialty dealers across the US. The Tour is free of charge and open to all consumers interested in learning about the latest Gitzo support products and accessories.

Website: Gitzo 5 Star Summer Tour

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) has published digital camera production and shipments data for May 2009. In terms of volume, total digital camera production fell by 26.2% compared to the same period of last year. In terms of value, the drop was an even more severe 32.3%. Interchangeable-lens cameras suffered much less than compacts, with the number of units manufactured being only 3% less than in May 2008. Their market value, however, dropped nearly 15%, which alludes to sinking average unit prices. North America is still the biggest market, but this applies to compacts only. As far as DSLRs are concerned, Europe is a much bigger market (and still growing, at least in terms of volume).

Website: CIPA Statistical Data for May 2009

Olympus have created a fascinating stop-motion movie to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Olympus PEN series. For this project, they took over 50,000 still photographs and combined them into a three-minute clip. They also developed nearly 10,000 prints. We think the result is quite spectacular - check it out at the website below.

Website: The PEN Story at YouTube

MyPhotoAlbum Inc. has announced a new way to save and share photos on the Internet. The MyPhotoAlbum App for Facebook is a seamless complement to Facebook, working with Facebook’s existing photo albums. MyPhotoAlbum allows users to save original full-size images and the ability to share photos with the huge Facebook network. The App copies photos directly to Facebook photo albums, not an obscure tab or a “new” type of album. Copied photos also appear in the “news feed,” and profile tab just as they would if the user uploaded to Facebook directly.

A Japanese company called Factron has released a metal iPhone case complete with a mount for conversion lenses. The Quattro for iPhone case is currently only compatible with the iPhone 3G - a modified version for the iPhone 3Gs is currently in the making. The conversion lenses on offer include two close-up optics, a superwide converter and even a circular fisheye. The case itself costs a whopping 19,600 yen, but the lenses themselves are available for 1,700 to 5,300 yen.

Website: Quattro for iPhone (in Japanese)

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 is a suite of 60 production oriented filters that enhance the look and feel of a photo. Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 includes unique Portrait Filters that improve skin colour, eliminate wrinkles and skin blemishes, enhance eyes, lips and hair and reshape facial features to accentuate natural attributes. New lens filters simulate graduated filters and polarisers. Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 is available for Mac OS and Windows from autofx.com. The downloadable version costs $249, while the complete retail version is $269.

Fujifilm UK have announced their first underwater photo festival, ScubaSnap Weekend 2009. The festival will take place in Looe, Cornwall on the 12th and 13th September. In association with local dive operators Looe Divers, the weekend will include shore diving, photographic tuition and seminars from industry experts such as Mat Trim of Fujifilm and Maria Munn of Ocean Visions, photo competitions and a dinner dive and BBQ in the evening. ScubaSnap Weekend 2009 is open to divers of all levels, but if diving doesn’t appeal then snorkellers can take part, too. The only rule is that all photos taken and entered in the competitions must be taken on a compact camera.

Now’s your chance to test drive an Olympus Pen E-P1 for a week, free of charge. Olympus Europe has announced that any EU resident aged 18 or older can request a test unit by explaining their motives for wanting to try the new camera out. Allegedly, “the more creative the idea, the better the chances” that you will actually get one. Simply apply via the website below.

Website: Test-a-PEN

Franke & Heidecke, manufacturer of Rolleiflex TLR accessories and 6x6 bodies for Leaf and Sinar, is to lay off all of its employees and terminate all operations by September. Last week, photoscala.de reported that the company’s 131 employees had received notice of the impending layoffs, and the news of the closure has since been confirmed by the British Journal of Photography too. Franke & Heidecke is a company whose roots can be traced back to 1920, when Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke founded a workshop in Braunschweig, Germany, called Werkstatt für Feinmechanik und Optik, Franke & Heidecke. The company became famous for its Rolleiflex TLRs, whose production started exactly 80 years ago. The fall of Franke & Heidecke is expected to bring about a massive restructuring of the medium format camera market.

Iridient Digital have released RAW Developer 1.8.4, which adds support for new digital cameras including the Olympus E-P1 and the Pentax K-7. Other newly supported models include the Canon EOS 500D, the Kodak Z980, the Nikon D5000, the Olympus E-450, the Sony A230, A330 and A380, the Panasonic GH1 and the Phase One 40+. Furthermore, the program can now handle DNG files generated by scanners. The new release also boasts a number of improvements over the previous version, plus a couple of bug fixes related to Hasselblad and Leaf images. Note that RAW Developer is a Mac only application.

Website: Iridient RAW Developer Release Notes